Who can blame him? He began the year with a foot injury, struggled to produce for a team that desperately needed help, and had his share of problems with Arkansas’ previous coaching staff.

So when Powell was asked how much better he feels heading into the 2011-12 season under new coach Mike Anderson, the junior flashed a wide smile.

“I feel a whole lot better,” Powell said. “I’m in a good situation. If my situation is good, I’m good.”

Powell, who looked, acted and sounded like a rejuvenated player Wednesday, reflected on last season’s disappointments and this year’s potential during Arkansas’ media day. He and the rest of the Razorbacks open preseason practice on Friday night with Arkansas’ “Primetime at the Palace” festivities.

Arkansas has plenty to resolve in the month before the season opener on Nov. 11, but Powell’s demeanor is a sign happiness with the new direction isn’t one of them. In fact, the Newport News, Va., said he can’t wait for Anderson’s preseason drills to begin Friday.

It’s his chance to finally bury a sophomore season in which he averaged just 10.8 points and 4.5 rebounds, well off his freshman season totals (14.9 and 6.7).

“I can’t even sit here and lie to you guys and say I was well the whole season last year. I wasn’t,” Powell said, referring to the foot injury that bothered him most of the year. “My play showed it. My attitude showed it, probably. Everything. It wasn’t one of my best years. I hate to look back on it, to be honest.”

Powell is recovering from another offseason foot injury that required surgery and said he’s at “90, 95 percent.” But he’s not dwelling on it. Instead, he’s more concerned about his new role with the Razorbacks.

The Razorbacks are settling into a new system under Anderson and Powell has done his part to prepare for it in conditioning, too, trimming down from 245 pounds.

Powell has slimmed down to 219 pounds and, according to Anderson, “is looking like a basketball player.”

“He hasn’t asked to come out of anything,” Anderson said. “He is in the best shape he has ever been in. He hasn’t complained about anything and he is doing well.”

Teammates also said Powell is acting like a leader, too, something he vowed to do late in his freshman year. But Powell admittedly didn’t fulfill the role last season despite being one of Arkansas’ key players.

Freshman forward Hunter Mickelson said Powell is showing him the ropes during the offseason now. Guard Julysses Nobles said Powell is “happy,” something that does rub off on the rest of the Razorbacks.

“He’s got hunger,” guard Mardracus Wade said. “He lost a lot of weight. It’s turned into muscle. His footwork has gotten a lot better. He’s been leaping. He’s been flying up and down this court and his leadership is starting to step up too. He doesn’t say too much now.

“Usually, he used to mouth off. He’s a leader now.”

Powell’s renewed optimism was obvious during interview sessions Wednesday. He said the Razorbacks “appreciate” Anderson. He shrugged off Arkansas’ size issue in the post, saying “it’s all right. We’ll work it out.” He thought of the opener, saying he can’t wait to see what a packed house in Bud Walton Arena looks like after attendance plummeted the past two years.

Powell chalks up last season’s frustrations as a learning experience, saying he basically hit rock bottom as a player. He is reinvigorated now, though, and is eager to prove it when practice begins.

But the senior, who missed 39 games the past two seasons because of foot troubles, said he’s not concerned his recent back surgery will keep him down long.

“I’m walking around now, so it wasn’t too serious,” Sanchez said. “The amount of recovery time is three to four weeks. I’ll be good to go then for our first game.”

Sanchez and Arkansas coach Mike Anderson both declined to provide details on the extent of the injury during Arkansas’ basketball media day on Wednesday. But Anderson did say the procedure was performed last week and is confident Sanchez will be able to practice soon.

“We feel he will be back by the first of November to really actively work out with our basketball team,” said Anderson, whose team opens the season on Nov. 11 against South Carolina-Upstate.

Sanchez’s health is vital for a team with 11 players (10 on scholarship) and limited options in the frontcourt. The group consists of Sanchez, Marshawn Powell, Marvell Waithe, Devonta Abron and Hunter Mickelson.

Sanchez said he has no plans of letting what he insisted was a “minor setback” limit him this season.

“You can’t let something take you away from your goals, especially when you worked so hard,” Sanchez said.

“I want what’s best for this university. I want them to win another championship. I want to do everything I can to put myself in the best position to help the team out so we can accomplish that. I’m really excited about what’s ahead. This is only a minor setback.”

Hello Cleveland Hill

Arkansas’ players were introduced to Cleveland Hill late last week, running the brutal half-mile incline on the Northwest side of campus as part of their off-season conditioning work. It’s a workout the Razorbacks used to endure under former coach Nolan Richardson.

The current group wasn’t shy about describing their first experience with the workout Wednesday.

“Cleveland Hill? It was hell,” Madden said. “It was real hard for us to do. But we had to push through it and be a better team. We helped each other.”

Powell also said the grind is an indication the Razorbacks will be in better condition this year. Which, of course, is a vital trait in Anderson’s system.

There was a noticeable change in Mickelson when he stepped out on the floor for interviews Wednesday.

The freshman said he has gained roughly 30 pounds since his arrival on campus last spring. It was much-needed, considering he was 6-foot-10, 210 pounds when he arrived.

“It’s definitely helped. There’s no way I’d be able to compete at the weight I was, 210. Especially with guys like ‘Shawn and Sanchez. So adding that extra weight and getting to about 230, 240, it’s definitely helped out.”

Anderson said he’s eager to see what the added weight means for Mickelson when practices begin Friday.

“You don’t know how that 230 pounds is going to go,” Anderson said. “It could be just poundage that’s on you or is it strength? I think it’s a combination.”

TV time

Arkansas will have 25 of its 31 games televised this season. The highlight is the Jan. 21 game against Michigan, which will tip off at 1 p.m. on CBS.

The schedule includes six games on the ESPN family of networks, three games on Fox Sports Net and seven games on the SEC Network. The first televised game will be the Nov. 18 game against Houston in North Little Rock (FSN).

Quotable

“What took place here the last few years — that happened. Now we are at another point in Razorback basketball history. My goal is to take it to the top. We have an excellent staff, guys on the same page. I think our guys are going to see those guys work together to get Razorback basketball to the top.” — Anderson on his “remodeling” plans for Arkansas basketball.